…intends to prove the following in the litigation: Despite knowledge of the defects, Toyota continues to sell and lease its cars and trucks while knowingly concealing and suppressing information about the defects from consumers. Since 2001, Toyota is accused of falsely representing to the public that Toyota-manufactured vehicles are safe and reliable. Toyota continues to conceal from consumers that their vehicles cause sudden, uncontrollable acceleration when drivers are not touching the accelerator and attempt to use their brakes.

The OCDA suit is the first consumer protection action [AFP report] brought against Toyota by a US district attorney; numerous individuals, however, have already brought suits against the Japanese automaker seeking compensation for damages and injuries. In a recent JURIST op-ed, law professor Bruce Aronson noted that Toyota's traditional governing structure contrasts with the typical American model and suggested that in light of its current manufacturing and public relations crisis, Toyota consider changing its corporate structure to give its board of directors more oversight power.

On June 7, 1893, Mohandas Ghandi committed his first act of civil disobedience in South Africa. Because he was an Indian, Ghandi was ordered to move to the third class section of a train, despite holding a first class ticket. When he refused, Ghandi was thrown off of the train. Ghandi would go on to organize efforts by Indians living in South Africa to oppose racial discrimination there by founding the Natal Indian Congress. He would then return to his native India to lead its drive for independence from Great Britain.